Making Rocket Fuel From Water Could Drive A Power Revolution On Earth

Rocket fuel, alternatively known as
rocket propellant, is an explosive charge that gives the rocket the initial
propel it needs at lift-off. Propellants can be either solid, liquid, gas or
gel; of these four, liquid propellants have the most advantages, and it is thus
that water arose as a possible alternative to the otherwise non-renewable
resources used. Water is that one rare substance that is both easy to find –
even in outer space – and is plentiful in amount. It is also an energy carrier,
not a fuel in itself.

But how is this possible? Researchers
led by NASA’s former chief technologist are hoping to launch a satellite
carrying water as the source of its fuel. A team from the Cornell University
wish to launch the first ever water-propelled satellite (the CubeSat) into space. They have explained
that the water itself will not be the fuel; instead, solar panels’ electricity
will split the H2O into oxygen and hydrogen, and these two components, being
the backbone to any rocket fuel, will burn on ignition and give out the energy
taken in initially.

Solar panels are the obvious choice because they are dependable
and due to the lack of moving parts, they can function well in areas with no
gravity. The splitting process is done via electrolysis – this is literally the
decomposition of H2O into O2 and H due to an electric current being passed
through the water.

This new method could have a
significant impact on the way we power most of our aircraft – or possibly even
spacecraft – in the future. While fuel resources are being depleted globally,
we need to look towards new and more importantly, efficient sources.

Unlike wind and solar energy, which do not
fulfil our energy needs in a useful manner, water can be split through
electrolysis, then be easily transported and stored as hydrogen fuel. Whenever
it is needed, it can simply be released and recombined with oxygen present in
the air. This could mean that solar panels and hydrogen fuel could be affecting
all of us on a massive scale, and probably very soon as well.

This
post was written by Umer Abrar. To contact the author of this post, write to mirzavadoodulbaig@gmail.com
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Making Rocket Fuel From Water Could Drive A Power Revolution On Earth
Reviewed by Umer Abrar
on
10/02/2016
Rating: 5